It's NOT about technique (ft. cozy yarn spinning)

From my great-grandmother's handknit sweater to learning the art of spinning in a pre-KZbin era, this is my reflection that explores the deep-seated values embedded in yarn crafting. Together, let’s take a look at how being a yarn crafter goes beyond technical skills. We are embracing a profound connection to the past and an opportunity to shape a sustainable future. Let's cozy up by the fire to discuss the threads of our traditions and celebrate the art of crafting connections.
Happy Spinning and Happy Holidays, Fiber Friends!
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[@JillianEve]

Who taught you your crafts? ❤️🎄🔥❄️🧵🪡🧶☕ Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Solstice, Happy New Year and Happy Spinning to all my wonderful Fiber Friends!

[@FayeCat]

My paternal grandmother instilled in me a love of homemade baked goods. She died when I was 8 and it’s been 30 years since she’s gone and I miss her so much this time of year. I don’t remember if she did a craft, but I hold her rolling pin and favourite mixing bowl this time of year and my heart feels a bit better.

[@resourcedragon]

A lot of the time, it was my mother. As I am a left hander and she was right handed, or at least had learned a lot of things right handed, there were some things she didn't attempt to teach me, crochet in particular. So I also taught myself quite a lot of things, but she also demonstrated techniques and assisted with ideas as well. What I've been wondering is who was the last traditional spinner in my family? Mum learned to spin as part of the modern revival but neither of my grandmothers ever spun. (I'm not entirely sure that my paternal grandmother ever knitted, and while my maternal grandmother did knit, she wasn't frantically good at it.) My mother's paternal grandmother was a good enough crafter that she made her living after she was widowed with making and selling baby wear, she ended up with a little shop that was apparently successful. Based on where they lived, it's possible that my paternal grandfather's grandmothers were spinners.

[@ThisSmallGnome]

My grandmother was a milliner and made her own clothes. My mother can barely do a running stitch. I did learn crochet from my grandmother, but the greatest gift she left me was a pair of stitch samplers that she and her sister made. I have spent hours dissecting them (not literally but with my eyes) and found them to be a trove of simple gifts. They show how to knot the thread, finish a row of embroidery, and make buttonholes, among other things. If you love your craft, make a sampler for future generations.

[@leiyak.8869]

I learned a bit of crochet and embroidery at school. But through peer pressure I long regarded fibre arts as "grandmother stuff"... Then I started cosplaying but I hated my mom's way of sewing so I learned to sew professionally. and from there it developed from cosplay to the historical direction. During my apprenticeship I first learned to knit rudimentally- at 29 years. I'm so happy about YT and the possibility to easily learn new crafts. Yes, I'm sad I didn't learn from family members but I'm glad still have the possibility to learn and live the ancient crafts again. Happy holidays to you!!

[@denniseleismer8965]

I grew up in a crafting family, my mom crocheted cotton dollies and bedspreads and also crocheted blankets. She was a seamstress and a quilter. She had a large 6 or 8 ft quilt rack in our family room. My paternal grandmother would stay with us from time to time and she would hand stitch the quilt tops together and my mom or another lady would quilt them with the batting and back piece. I remember being about 10 years old and wanting to learn to knit ( not sure why). My mom did not know how but she did what she always did when she want to learn how, she went to the library. We found a book that was "Red needle Green needle" and it show the beginner how to knit. I have been knitting for 50 years now. My daughter-in-law is a knitter as well and she introduced me to spinning. As so the journey continues. I still crochet now and then and my oldest daughter is a quilter. Thanks mom and all the moms and grandma's that pass the traditions on.

[@DLBard-bv2nd]

Many mothers in the 60's started working outside of the home. They no longer had the time to teach their daughters the skills their mother taught them. If you were fortunate enough to have a grandmother who could teach you then you might inherite the skills of fiber work. Spinning, weaving, sewing, knitting, crochet, tatting, and more. I was blessed to have two talented Grandmothers who were both seamstress and they shared their skills with me.😊 ❤

[@wethreebees]

Tatting!

[@OutcastNz]

Growing up I lived in foster care, moved from house to house. One house I lived in had like a mini library of donated books and a lot of them were craft books, I started sewing in middle school since it was a class and loved it. I actually was given a drop spindle from my teacher to learn and never stopped learning all things sewing, spinning crochet and knitting 😊😊😊

[@MijnWolden]

My grandmom taught me both knitting, crochet, embroidery and tunisian crochet. Right now she's in a nursing home with dementia and the most heartbreaking moment was when two years ago, she realised she wasn't able to craft anymore, and gave all her yarn to me. I'm glad I can continue her heritage, even when she doesn't recognize me anymore. Thank you for this soft content.

[@juliettev.782]

Such an incredible painful proces this disease, but really beautiful that she gave it to you. ❤She would be have been proud every time you use it, I bet. .

[@heathermacmaster5666]

I read a lot of fantasy books as a kid and all the women would sit in castles embroidering and that's why I learned to cross stitch lol. I learned to sew on a machine when I was six because I wanted shorts and my mom told me to go make some myself. My grandmother could do all things textiles. My regret is not learning from her when she was alive. She had so much knowledge and I missed out on everything she could have taught me.

[@tracybird4547]

This was absolutely beautiful! As you were talking about people’s regret at not learning’ from a relative, I thought oh no, they definitely did! It may not have been the specific technical aspect of that skill but the seeds were planted and germinated!! Thank you so much for all that you share and most especially for today’s post. Sending you and all your loved ones peace and happiness. ❤

[@ColorsofHopeCraftsASMR]

I love hearing your stories! My grandma was born just shy of the Great Depression, and she used to talk about her mother making all her clothes when they were growing up. She even made my grandma’s wedding dress out of her brother’s World War Two parachute! By the time I knew her, she was in her 90s and wasn’t well, but I do remember certain things about her. One thing I remember is she had a stuffed elephant that had been a toy when she was a child. She used to sit with that elephant all the time in her chair. She had clearly loved it because it was stitched back together in a different places. Years after she passed, I found the elephant in my great-great-grandparents house, and my grandma told me I could have it. It is now in our living room.

[@intheyellowcorner]

One of my favourite childhood memories is watching my aunt spin wool. My grandparents were weavers by trade too. I feel lile textiles in in my blood and am so happy to pass it down to my neices and nephews.

[@joelwilliams5634]

I love that your mothers couch has texture on it her house is so full of lovely treasures

[@elynapege6467]

Thank you for sharing your first links to the fiber world. Mine started with a deep curiosity 5 years ago. I was looking for a way to link my present with the past. As a person of color looking for my roots, I discovered that the fiber arts were universal through both time and place. All in all it doesn't matter where you originated from, all our ancestors were connected through fibers and patience. I hope more people will continue to discover (or rediscover) the feel of working with the fibers that hold us together. Happy holidays ❄️

[@TheBadWitchCrafts]

This was truly a treat 🥹 I got teary eyed when you got to the part where you gave your grandma the blanket. Seriously such a lovely video, it was a pleasure to listen to your memories and story! Thank you for sharing! 🥰

[@jamiethrogmorton2540]

Weird, it was backwards in my family. I came in seeming to know how to do all kinds of fiber and stitchery crafts. I taught both my mom and grandma! 😂😂😂

[@roxanneash4091]

My mother taught me knitting, crocheting and sewing basics. You and your channel taught me how to spin. Happy holidays to you and your family. Thank you for all the videos and life lessons throughout the year.

[@angelawheeler4877]

That was lovely! I learned crochet from my grandmother before age 8 and one aunt as a preteen. I had my great grandmother who loved the things she made and loved the people she made them for. It was amazing to see since so many others in my family just thought it was o my worth something if they could sell it. In fact, one great aunt sold so many of my great grandmother’s quilts that none of us family have any. I’m glad I’ve learned to spin, quilt, sew, weave, and knit on top of crochet. Those ladies who taught me have my heart 💜

[@morningrose428]

My mom taught me to crochet when I was 6, and I kept at it. We both learned to knit together 2 years later, and I learned to spin at the same time because the main character of one of the Little House books did (Little House in the Highlands, I believe). I found such joy in these crafts that I never put them down, and 21 years later I'm still going strong! My paternal grandmother also crocheted, and we would sit together and work on projects. Having that background is a priceless gift, and I will treasure those memories for as long as I live.

[@sonjanordahl3158]

This is awesome Eve! I think another part of the problem is that now it is so hard for a multi person household to live on a single income. My grandmother was a sewer. But by the time my hyperactive self was slowing down enough to learn sewing. I was too busy trying to keep a roof over my head and feed myself to take time to learn to sew. I regret that immensely. My grandmother would be tickled pink to see me spinning yarn, weaving, and sewing. Seeing the walk through of you families living room reminds me of going to my grandparents house and feeling so warm, loved, and safe from the world. Thank you so much for bringing back to me that great Christmas memory. 🥰 I hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

[@carolineritchey8139]

Oh my goodness! I also crocheted an entire skein into a chain as a child because it was the only thing I knew at the time. Our playroom was up in the attic and I distinctly remember playing with my super long chain as "repunzels hair" down the attic ladder door...haha! Wow! Thank you for reminding me of that!

[@lilykno5212]

My Grandma used to weave rag rugs and floor mats. She lived in Thailand for 20 years and she would sit cross legged on the floor in the village community house in Nakhonnayok with dozens of women. She taught them English and they taught her how to use old clothes that couldn't be worn anymore to weave beautiful colorful things. The stories she told me of her time there are so special for me. She passed away several years ago. I'm not a weaver yet, but when I work with fabric, it helps me feel close to her.

[@elizjusteliz6692]

Knitting and crochet died out in my family with my great grandmother since she was left handed and my grandmother wasn’t. We still have her amazingly delicate doilies. I’ve managed to add them back into our set of family skills and added spinning thanks to you. By comparison, sewing and gardening have stayed alive and active family skills through that time and I’m still learning from my mother all her tips, tricks, and lived experience. While I’m happy I can bring some skills back into the family, my memories of sewing and gardening with my mother are some of my most precious.

[@falconmosshandcrafted1865]

This and this!!!! I Love the ancestral Stuff. My Mother is a residencial school survivor so I am the child who is bringing those crafts back…. It’s weird to have had access but not learning it from my mom. I learned to crochet from a friend in third grade, I learned to quilt from a teen friend, and I learned to knit before my first kid was born and that’s before internet videos also and because I’m a lefty /ambidextrous it took trial and error… then I put it down to start raising my two kids.. I made them both things and the items have been all over the house one kid also picked up all the tasks and hand sewing etc… I’m glad I got to say no to fast fashion and both kids mend, so do I!! Thank you for your wonderful words and knowledge and excitement to rekindle lost knowledge

[@Andracrafts]

My mom has always been a crafty influence in my life. She won a trip to NYC through Montgomery Ward. In the late 60s for her designs. As a military wife, she found new ways of expressing her creativity through needle craft and cooking. I feel so blessed to be able to teach her spinning at this point in our journey through life.

[@Andracrafts]

I have a crochet blanket from my father’s grandmother and many quilts from husband’s grandmother that we cherish and use, because that is what they were intended for.

[@shaysweet6235]

My 98 y/o (and still living) grandmother a.k.a. Nanny, taught me how to sew and crochet in my teens and 20's. I taught myself how to knit in my 40's. And now that I'm 50 I am learning how to spin, then dye, and who knows what's next.

[@BallerinaValkyrie]

My mom learned from hear grandmother (to knit) and taught me, and i've taught two people to knit, and one to crochet (i taught myself from a kit my aunt bought me) and my house, parents house, and near relatives has all been full of all kinds of fiber arts. Even if its just friends and mentors (or mentees) I love the community that has sprung up from keep old traditions (masonry, metalworking, woodcarving, fiber arts) alive and growing!

[@shirtypantser]

This is a beautiful video and I love the sentiment.

[@ewallis539]

Your comment about valuing the things you create caught my attention. That extends, of course, to treating everything with care. I learned to knit and sew as a small child, but also to mend. I remember my first husband's family watching with disbelief as I darned a sock. Why on earth would I do that when I could just throw them out and buy a new pair? I'm thankful that my mother taught me those skills when I was young enough to accept them without question.

[@daniellebissonnette3304]

Lovely thoughts. As a knitter and new spinner, I appreciate that spinning yarn slows down the making process. In today's fast paced world, taking much longer to get the finished product allows me to reflect on what I really need and what it required to make it. I love your boots by the way. Happy holidays, I wish you joy and serenity and to your family as well.

[@emmagoff]

Merry Christmas Eve, Mark and all of your kin 🎄⛄🎁 May 2024 bring you much joy and good health! Thank you for all your videos through the years and for being the best teacher ever!!! 💜

[@jackiebrown7859]

I learned to crochet from my mamaw when I was 7. I inherited her mothers knitting needles from her even though I have no idea how to knit. Mamaw was my teacher and she never learned, said it was too hard, lol, so here I am. Ill pick it up eventually. My spinning and weaving I've learned from you miss Jillian eve, and others who are willing to share online.

[@RpunktF]

My grandma taught me to crochet when I was very young. I had loads of those endless crochet chains! And eventually she taught me how to make hats, blankets,… She tried teaching me how to knit but gave up after some time because I was too impatient. I knew how to crochet. That was enough. When I was 15, I went abroad for a gap year and for some reason, knitting was very common among young people there. So I tried my hand at knitting again and I loved it! One evening, I was on the phone with my grandma. She told me that she was going to go to the hospital soon and I told her how I had started knitting socks and that I enjoyed it so much and that I’m going to make her socks now. She was very proud and very happy. A week later, she died. She had a heart condition and the visit to the hospital had been a big gamble to begin with. I’m convinced though that me telling her that I had picked up knitting helped her let go because she knew someone was going to continue with the craft. That was 13 years ago. I have since taught my sister and some friends how to knit. And I still love knitting. Makes me feel close to my grandma.

[@penelope.remade]

I learned drop spinning as a kid, but I learned to spin on wheel this year from you, Evie! Your videos have been my go to resource. Im working on my first proper woolen prep/woolen spun yarn as I'm watching this video.

[@lealfitzmorgan5490]

Speaking of observational learning.... I spent six or so months watching my partner spin before I ever picked up fiber myself. To this day she's a little jealous of my first yarn, but I always remind her that she spent all that time teaching me without realizing it.

[@rubidot]

I just spent over an hour, maybe more than two, watching your videos with my mom. You are charming, the details of history and technique you get into are so interesting, and it made for some great quality time. And no one in my family knits or spins or anything related 😆

[@BernardDauphinais]

I loved this lovely video essay. (And I love your Strawberry Thief (?) wallpaper, too!). I learned to knit when I was 13 from a school classmate, one late afternoon, after school waiting for the bus. After that I was on my own. It wasn't easy being a male who wanted to learn more about knitting in those days (early '70s). I switched to crochet at some point in my teens and did a lot of that back then. Eventually found my way back to knitting and most of the other fiber arts as well. Thanks for the great vid.

[@vvolpe572]

I grew up watching my dad's ma crochet. She would crochet all her grandkids mittens on a string, as well as for the girls, babushkas (head scarves) and ponchos. She even crocheted my ma a bedspread for my parent's king-sized bed. I never picked up crochet. I learned how to make a knit and purl stitch from a friend of the family when I was a small girl but it never went any further until my late 20's into my 30's. I would pick up needles and a skein of yarn to just 'play around' then put it down for a few years. This went on for at least a decade or so. Not until I saw my husband's uncle crocheting did I think, 'ya know if he is crocheting and making beautiful pieces then so can I!' I ended up going to one of the local big box hobby stores and got myself another skein of basic yarn, a set of needles and a 'quick learn' pamphlet on how to knit. That was about 6 years ago. From there, I started watching KZbin and searching out my local specialty yarn shops. I fumbled quite a lot in those first couple of years. Then the pandemic hit. I wanted to learn more about the fiber I am using and how I can do it myself. A coworker of mine raises alpacas and when she found out I was knitting, she encouraged me to think about spinning my own. That was 2 years ago. I took my first drop spindle class last year, and this year, as an early Christmas gift, my husband, and his folks pitched in and bought me my very first spinning wheel. I took classes from another local yarn shop where the owner has been spinning and dyeing wool for over 30 years. She taught me that spinning is therapeutic and can be very relaxing. Not to rush things and let it just 'happen'. Like you mentioned, right now my yarn is that glumpy, uneven yarn that is from a beginner but I am going to keep going. I know with time, I too, will make beautiful yarn that I will be proud to make something special with. I happened on your channel when I first started thinking about picking up spinning. You are a very good teacher and speaker. So, between your videos and the local yarn shop, I know I can and will be successful in my spinning!

[@bishopstoneyarns]

My mum was a spinner and I spent many hours watching her . I think I also absorbed a lot of the love for fibre, as she took me to sheep farms and wool shows. So many treasured memories.

[@JM-jv6gk]

Thank you, Eve! I learned from my grandmother, starting with a ball of crocheted chain when I was 6 years old. Then, she taught me to knit, starting with my doll's clothes. And, besides the gaps because of life getting in the way, I'm still enjoying all about yarn work, and I keep learning!

[@cowsandsows]

Thank you for this JillianEve. You help bring back a true sense of the Feminine; of Being and understanding the importance of sacred space.

[@katmusswoodwind]

Oh my goodness- learned how to crochet a chain from MY baby sitter, Pauline. My parents would be away every Saturday night and so we effectively had a third, part time grandma. I feel regret that we didn't keep in touch with Pauline. I miss her and I would love to crochet her something to thank her, but I wouldn't even know where to send it by now.

[@nicolelafontaine1720]

What a lovely video. I learned from my Grandma, this is full of good memories. This year, I will become a grandma myself, I rpomise to teach my grandchild if she/ he is interrested in learning, in a few years... I wish you a super nice holiday period, may you have lots of meaningful time with your loved ones. I wish us all Peace, Health, Empathy, Compassion, Love and Joy for the New Year. May we all have lots of time for creativity and crafting.

[@jant4741]

First drawn to yarn seeing grandmother’s colorful left over balls in a basket. In Japan an elder house person taught me some hand sewing, a school friend the proper way to crochet. As a teen grandmother taught me to read a doily pattern. Took a class on garment sewing. Rug hooking joined a club. Spinning & wool dying self taught initially then joined a guild. Weaving, self taught. When petro easy care clothes disappear… our skills might be valued again?

[@readsleepandeat]

my mother also always said that all the craftiness had skipped a generation too 😁 i think your post is right on point - all the years of watching my gramdmothers make things definitely influenced me. ultimately i ended up picking up their crafts when they had reached the point they were stopping. maybe they had to pass the mantle. but i do have a nice memory of visiting my grandmother during a college break and sitting with her all afternoon while she taught me the basics of crochet.

[@jayneterry8701]

Wonderful story of your journey Eve! 💝🥰 I learned to knit at my Grandmother's left side as I was left handed 😊

[@kayrigetta9462]

What a beautiful home! The cat is so cute I just wanted to bury my face in all that fur. Lol. Your story was amazing thank you for sharing. I pray you and your family have an amazing and wonderful Christmas and a happy and blessed New Year.

[@uschiaala]

I burst into tears at the blanket gift part. My mother taught me to knit - she tried teaching all of her daughters but I was the only one where it stuck. As a kid she made me a rainbow patchwork dressing gown that I lived in... she had to add length to the bottom and sleeves multiple times. I wish I still had it. When my first baby was born she started knitting a panel but never finished it. I have the panel. I tried spinning a couple of years ago and it seemed to click quickly but it wasn't something I was very interested in at the time, so I didn't pursue it. Just recently I suddenly really want to get into it. I don't know the textile history in my family but I imagine that if you go back a few generations, there would be spinners. I wish I had a way of knowing. Regardless, I wanted to make something from start to finish, raw fleece all the way through - as slow and messy and arduous as that is - to do it at least once. Serendipitously I found two local-to-me fleeces, one from a rescue sheep that shares my mum's name, and one whose name is the same as her birthplace, where my family is from. That sealed the deal. I can't knit a gift for my mum, but maybe I can spin some yarn and then incorporate her rainbow panel into something for myself.

[@elineeugenie5224]

What a poetic video! I learned crochet, and a tiny bit of sewing, from my mum. Textile work still connects me to her, i find out year after year. I hardly knew one grandmother, my dad's mother who was a knitter, and my other grandma died before I was born. I like to make pieces that have my homespun yarn, and use crochet and knitting, together. It helps me heal🕸️🌛💙

[@Kimberlaina]

My grandma was a passionate knitter. She had a degenerative disease similar to ALS and was unable to teach me by the time I was old enough. I have many things she made for me, including a tiny pink and white colorwork cardigan that is one of my most special possessions. My mom taught me knitting when I was a teenager, but the learning curve was steep for me and I never made it past scarves. During the pandemic I picked it up again and this time I ran with it and can now make beautiful things. I'm sad that my grandma was unable to teach me, but I still feel like it's part of her legacy. Now I just got my first spinning wheel and I'm trying to learn that, too. My family has always valued making things by hand and I hope I can share that with others. Somewhere I have the last thing my grandma started knitting before she was sick. If I can figure out what the stitch pattern is, I'm going to finish it for her

[@bethliebman8169]

Evie, I loved this cozy video. I, too, minored in education in college. I chuckled when you described the experience as 'meta'--so true. I come from a long line of crafters. Both my grandmothers knitted. I was too young to learn from them, they passed away early. I have kept a sweater my Nana knit for me. I learned basic knitting from my mom. She knit a lot too. I don't remember her sitting down with me, but I learned by experimenting with materials she let me play around with. Long before KZbin I sewed, knit and crocheted. (I got really good at following written directions). When I was 13, a neighbor coached me through my first sweater. Your video reminded me of all my fiber adventures. Thank you!!

[@elfieblue3175]

This was a lovely video essay. My grandmother taught me to knit when I was 6, but only the reverse-loop cast-on and the non-stretchy bind-off, and nothing more technical than knit and purl. I pretty much made big squares and long scarves, and that was it, and I put it down until I had my own kids and needed projects to while away the time at their extra-curricular activities. I used books with clear diagrams to figure out other more suitable methods and increases and decreases. My mother had zero interest in learning to knit from her mother, but she did learn how to sew, especially for us kids. My lessons in sewing from her were mostly just learning how to use the sewing machine without damaging it, cautions against using the long sewing shears on anything but fabric, and then I was left to my own devices with the desired patterns. I was about 14 at the time. I didn't start really getting into it until I had my own kids... and I saw a serger in action. I taught my eldest child how to knit when they were 6, and they took it further when they were in their teens by learning how to knit right to left and left to right without turning the work! (Essential for entrelac knitting.) I happened upon spinning when I stopped at a sheep farm on a road trip two years ago, after our lockdowns and travel bans were lifted. I found roving. Then I had to look for everything else to get started, and found your channel.

[@Kera.S.]

6:55 I'm an educator too and can totally relate to your university experience. My favorite theory/research was about expectations since I taught special education. The study that took a class of high achievers and told their teacher they were lower students, and the lower students in a class they told the teacher they were high achievers. At the end of the study the higher level students scores dropped and the lowest level students scores were much higher. All because of the expectation! I tell my children effort = outcome no matter what you are doing! Want an A put in the effort, don't put in effort then don't expect greatness. Life can't be only what others expect from us we need to also teach children to expect more from themselves, that they can do more with less interference from adults. Raising problem solvers with high expectations, now that's progress!

[@lisabecker9809]

May we bless others as much as we've been blessed by Evie and Mark

[@Meredith36]

That was beautiful! Merry Christmas! 🎄 💚🪡🧶🧵💚

[@skyepollard5951]

My mother and her mother only ever learned to sew to the extent that was practical and necessary to repair clothes and to keep things looking nice, to this day I'm not sure that either of them ever has completed a full garment, but It was my mom who sat me down at the kitchen table with her terrifyingly loud old machine and taught me the basics that I use every day. On my father's side of my family, I grew up with stories about my great grandmother Babs, who seemingly knew every textile craft under the sun, and who knitted a sweater for me years before i was even born. My dad hadn't even met my mom yet when she handed my father two sweaters and told him that they belonged to his future kids. I never got the chance to meet Babs or to learn from her in person, but I inherited many of her tools and I almost feel like they contain some of her spirit within them. I hope to someday become even half of the crafter that she was.

[@karenr4339]

My mother taught me to knit--my dad taught me to make socks. My mother taught me crochet--my dad taught me to make doilies and tat lace. My mother taught me to sew & quilt--my dad taught himself to sew because he wanted to see if he could. My sister taught me basic cross-stitch embroidery--my dad taught me the fancy stitches plus Needlepoint. I always feel blessed when I remember.

[@seamusgunnstoryteller5153]

Thank you for this, Eve. Cast on my first knitting about a year ago, and learned the basics of lucet cord in January. I'm almost 64!

[@reepincrafts]

Ahh thank you Evie for such a lovely video, so interesting to hear about your families history with textiles and hand crafting. We have a similar tradition in our family too. I love finding stuff in the thrift stores that family members may have almost chucked away so that I can re- love it again as the person who made it intended. Merry Christmas to you and yours from the UK ❤🎄

[@pamelamaynecorreia1688]

This is a great reflection, and I was lucky enough to learn to knit and embroider from my grandmother, sew from my mother and older sister. Then as an adult I raised sheep and so started my journey with fleece and spinning. This led me to you. Thank you for the knowledge you share. I was able to share my knowledge of knitting and embroidery to my daughter and my sister has now begun to learn to use a spindle with me. I hope my daughter will take an interest.

[@anitaedsall4308]

That was wonderful.

[@Unicorn_rancher]

I have embroidered Xmas tablecloths from my grandmother as well.

[@AndreaAlexander]

This was such a beautiful, heartwarming video 🥰 Merry Christmas!

[@oliviay7109]

My Mum taught me how to knit when I was a child and hand sewing basics. For there it’s been a combination of picking up some techniques from her and books! She passed along a lot of hand finishing techniques that I think make a huge difference when sewing that aren’t in modern pattern instructions

[@dianathefiberfan5116]

I crochet, taught by mother; knitting, a friends aunt; sewing, watching my mother by the hour sitting on the sewing cabinet that I still have; weaving, friend and KZbin

[@senseijoyner]

I learned embroidery from a church member as a homeschool project when my parents let me follow my interests. Beginning crochet stitch from my grandmother as a way to pass time after coming home from the mission field and my parents were figuring out where to live and work next. The rest of the basic stitches from a friend/neighbor after moving back to an area we we had lived many years previously. Anything more has been KZbin. Learned cording on a lucet while working at a semi-living history museum. Wanted to learn spinning from the same woman, but never had the chance. Life seasons have not allowed for that skill yet. Currently trying to figure out tatting, because my other grandmother frequently told of her relatives doing that and wishing she could have learned. Finding it difficult though. My dad taught me frame knitting toboggans. He learned from his grandfather in-law. Watching my great-grandfather make those toboggans are the only memory I have of him. He died when I was 3. My mom is able to sew and quilt. She tried teaching me as a teenager, but i never was able to connect with it. I would love to try again when space and life seasons allow.

[@rosemaryedwards3293]

What a great video! I learned to knit at a very young age from my mother and grandmother, and made my first cardigan at the age of 7. I think maybe children do learn at a young age, but then other interests intervene and they no longer practise their crafts until later in life. All my life I have knit and crochet, but one is never too old to learn, and in my 60's I took up spinning and weaving, and 10 years on I am still doing all these crafts, and loving spending my time making beautiful and practical items. Happy Christmas to you all, and best wishes for a productive 2024!

[@stonewallsfarm3105]

You lost me at ‘cleaning the stains’! :) Stains have stories on my fisherman’s knit sweater knit by my mom for 14 yr old me, now 51 years later. It has a stain. But i love wearing it - maybe while having dinner with family on the patchwork tablecloth (with stains) made by my sister, while sitting on needlepoint chair covers made by my grandmother and clawed by my mother’s cats. Life and textiles. Life of textiles. Thank you for the wander. :)

[@_vanearaujo]

you are amazing at sharing and multiplying the love for fiber arts. Thank you so much for this channel 💖😊

[@cathymontgomery7295]

My maternal grandmother crocheted ecru tableclothes. My mother taught me to knit and sew. I spin and knit. I appreciate the tie to the past spinners and knitters.

[@threadsandpurrs]

I love this message. I learned the basics of several crafts including sewing, embroidery and crochet from my mother when I was a child. I've expanded my skills since then, but she got me started and I definitely remember her making thing as well. It also seems rather appropriate to listen to this video as I hand stitch the hem of a garment. :)

[@23jacquied]

What a lovely story of your learning to spin yarn and such a well-made video. Thank you for sharing your life's journey.

[@susanmyrawills]

So happy to have found your channel here! You verbalize many of the feelings I have about my own fiber journey! I just joined as a patreon member and am looking forward to watching all of your content!❤

[@aroundtheworldfibers]

When I saw the doily, it reminded me of the many I made, even ones with stand up swans. My step grandmother taught me; I was about 7. An aunt taught me how to knit around the same age. I tailor made clothes by 11. My mom designed gorgeous clothes. She had to give it up when stricken with MS, unfortunately her case was severe. I made most of my own clothes and all my own business clothing (suits). Beautiful, quality fabrics was easy to find. Then it wasn't. I donated all my handmade suits. Someone might say I am in style - just 30 yrs ago style 😂🤣 I'm ok with that. What I have looks near new. I'm in the process of recycling those 30 yr. old pieces, and I think that will give me a unique wardrobe 'my style' wardrobe. Thank you for a wonderful year of videos, and have a very Happy holiday and a Very Happy New Year! Thank you for sharing a wonderful part of your family history; a beautiful home, filled with gift of heart-warming memories and lovely artistic treasures.

[@melsmith5833]

My great aunt taught me to crochet, making doilies is my favorite! My sister and I figured out knitting on our own somehow. I learned sewing and embroidery from school and related events and continued exploring those on my own. I love it all and now I am trying spinning, still struggling with a spindle but determined! Merry Christmas and thank you for all you advice and demostrations etc...

[@timothychandler1725]

When I was a kid, my grandmother 👵 had her sewing room, and before Christmas, that room became the secret room. Us grandkids couldn't enter that room. We would open a gift 🎁 😀 from her that was knit gift. I don't know who taught her how to knit. I do know her grandmother 👵 told her about her mother spinning and weaving clothes. She told me a great grandpa 👴 had a suit for the church made by this grandmother 👵. I don't know now how many of these things are lost to our family. Do you wish there was a time machine to go back and learn these skills. Merry Christmas 🎅

[@drewadrawing]

This was such a lovely video to watch, especially while spinning! My mom was (and is) a huge source of creative inspiration for me when I was young, although I've mostly gotten into the fiber world on my own! She was always mystified that I could go onto youtube and learn something I had never seen her do, but there are things she can do that I will never be able to. My grandpa was also a very talented artist who I loved learning from.

[@Bean_Box_Knitting]

What a joy this is to watch! I was taught to knit and crochet by Mum and a bit from Nan (who knit at lighhning speed!). Spinning began this year, thanks to Yo😊utube.

[@stephanieford6683]

I love this so much. Thank you.

[@joannefeiock1411]

I’m a newbie here….new subscriber thru “Cinnamon Stitches” Yeah, so glad I found you 🎉🎉

[@davidkish9829]

Loved your holiday time visit to your Mom's home. Happy New Year! May it be healthy in every way. Have a creative 2024.

[@helenfenner7488]

Thank you for being a wonderful teacher, I value your knowledge so much .

[@laulutar]

This reminds that I should ask my godmother, who trained as a seamstress in her youth, if she could help me level up my own dress making 😁

[@freakygeak]

Merry Christmass

[@erikagreenwell9892]

beautiful. i learned from my icelandic mom. and you tube (ie-you and many other delightful humans) that was a lovely reflection

[@felicitycrowe6971]

Hi there! I just anted to express how much I absolutely love your videos for so many reasons! Not only do you give wonderful, clearly explained information about all things to do with how yarn is created, but you also give information on what can (and does) go wrong with personal examples. This is invaluable in encouraging people to love what they are producing b/c if it happens to you, it can happen to anyone - and what you produce is always absolutely stunning, even when you are using your work as an example of things that might happen to create a finished project that wasn’t quite what you are aiming for! Also, you always give examples of what you could consider doing differently in order to change the outcome. You are an absolutely consummate teacher… and you are always so thoughtful and gentle! I think there are a lot of “teachers” out there who could learn a lot from your presentation style - bravo!!!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 On another note, I have a question! I wasn’t quite sure where to ask this, so I hope you don’t mind me putting it here! There seem to be a lot of knitting patterns recently that call for holding lace weight silk/mohair blend yarn along with another yarn (essentially marling them together). This got me thinking about exactly how these fluffy lace weight (extremely expensive) yarns were created. I should note, though, that my own preference is actually for brushed baby alpaca b/c I find mohair slightly scratchy, but most of the yarn I see used has mohair as the fluffy component). I know that , as a spinner, your personal preference could well be to produce a finished yarn that kind of replicated the end effect of this but without needing to hold two different strands, but sometimes just the fluffy lace weight is used by itself. I have really struggled to find information on how these yarns are spun. It occurred to me that you might have a video on it, but I couldn’t find one here. Are you able to point me in the direction of any videos on creating fluffy lace weight yarn, or do you have any yourself that I haven’t found? … alternatively, would you consider doing one (or more) videos on creating fluffy lace weight yarns??? I’m sure that I am not the only person who would be interested!!! In any case, keep up the amazing, wonderful work! 😊😊😊

[@EliDeNeige]

This video is so beautiful. And I LOVE your square cushions on the sofa. They are so cosy and exquisite. Happy Holliday.

[@lisabecker9809]

Thanks!

[@JillianEve]

Thank you so much! Happy spinning Lisa! 💖🧶🥰

[@m.a.w.9341]

Beautiful video!❤

[@scottcrable4966]

Merry Christmas!

[@anepictree]

Happy Holidays (belated) to you Jillian, all the best wishes for a wonderfully creative new year - I look forward to learning from you, thanks for passing on these skills with such joy and good humour. From Peter in Paris

[@didelphimorphia2925]

Lovely

[@stitchwithbritt5922]

This was such a joy to watch and listen to🥰

[@carolinegray7510]

Beautifully said.

[@hangtoughhomestead2229]

You are so encouraging! Thank you.

[@kathytedford9178]

Beautiful

[@liza5532]

What a great video!!! Teared up several times. Is that your home? Or your mother's? Love the colors and all the details. ❤❤

[@abbyetherton27]

This is such a sweet and well put together video! Wishing you a wonderful New Year!

[@MaiseNow]

I had written up a whole post but then hit the wrong button on my keyboard and lost it all. My mom and grandma do a few fabric/fiber crafts but the only one that got passed on to me was cross stitch. I tried sewing but I wanted to make clothes and was good at everything BUT clothes lol. it wasn't until college that I met knitters and picked up crochet, followed by being taught to knit by my friend Annika. She'd been knitting since she was 7 years old so she already had nearly 20 years of experience. I became a prolific knitter from then on, until 2015. In 2015, Annika died shortly after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia. The whole group was devastated, and the knitters among us agreed to knit as many hats as we could to donate to the cancer ward at her hospital in Edinburgh, Scotland. After that, I barely knit for about 5 years and when I did, it felt compulsory rather than something I enjoyed. Nowadays I'm finally mostly at peace with losing one of my favorite people, and I knit to keep her memory in my heart. She wouldn't want anyone to give up something they love forever, just to put it aside until they're ready to do it again. And that's what I did. Currently knitting my first ever sweater and I am excited. I bought an intro spinning kit with a drop spindle and 4 different breeds of sheep's wool to practice with. I got advice from my prolific spinner friend and she is excited to help me learn. No one in my family has had these skills to my knowledge. I'm excited to bring a new tradition into my family and teach others when I can, for as long as I can. Community is a kind of family too.

[@earthstarr32756]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@sunflowerteal]

🧡

[@DebsBeez]

Where have you been? I’ve missed your videos! I thought about you on distaff day a few weeks ago

[@carolhadland2803]

Just got a spring wheel, that was well used. But before it can be used it will need to be cleaned and parts replaced. Do you have a video that we can watch to see how it works ?

[@amybowden3174]

Hi ❤️ other than the Woolery is there another source to buy a blending board so I can DIY? Thanks!!!